{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 267: Meta Ads Q&A - What\u2019s Actually Working in 2026","description":"Episode Description In this episode of the Smart Marketer Podcast, Molly Pittman is joined by Smart Marketer\u2019s Director of Advertising, Denis Paskalev, for a live Meta Ads Q&A where they answer real questions from marketers about what is actually working with Meta ads in 2026. From campaign structure and creative testing to scaling strategies and performance metrics, this conversation breaks down the modern approach to Meta ads in a world where targeting is driven more by creative, messaging, and landing pages than traditional audience targeting. If you are running ads for ecommerce, SaaS, info products, or local businesses, this episode will give you practical guidance on how to structure, test, and scale campaigns in today\u2019s Meta ecosystem. \u201cI think people are putting too much pressure on trying to figure out the exact winning campaign structure, where actually there are other things that are usually more important.\u201d \u2013 Denis Paskalev You Will Learn \u2022 Why there is no single perfect Meta ad campaign structure and what actually matters more \u2022 When to use CBO versus ABO for creative testing and campaign control \u2022 How to handle situations where one ad receives most of the budget in Meta campaigns \u2022 The difference between vertical and horizontal scaling in today\u2019s ad ecosystem \u2022 Why scaling often causes CPAs to spike and how to prevent it \u2022 How creative, messaging, and landing pages now act as targeting signals for Meta \u2022 The metrics to evaluate during the first one to three days of ad testing \u2022 When to move a winning creative from testing to scaling campaigns \u2022 Whether videos and static ads should be tested together or separately Links & Resources \u2022 Free Meta Ads Mini Class \u2013 https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\/meta-ads-mini-class-v3\/ \u2022 Smart Marketer \u2013 https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\u2022 Molly Pittman \u2013 https:\/\/mollypittman.com\u2022 Smart Marketer Podcast \u2013 https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\/smart-marketer-show\/ \u2022 Omnisend \u2013 https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months) Time Stamps 00:00:21 \u2013 Introduction to the Meta Ads Q&A 00:01:08 \u2013 Ezra Firestone on Omnisend and Email\/SMS Growth 00:02:11 \u2013 Molly introduces the live Meta ads Q&A session 00:03:13 \u2013 The truth about Meta campaign structure in 2026 00:04:14 \u2013 Why Meta sometimes allocates most of the budget to one ad 00:05:41 \u2013 CBO versus ABO for creative testing 00:06:56 \u2013 Vertical and horizontal scaling strategies 00:07:58 \u2013 Why increasing budgets can break campaigns 00:09:38 \u2013 When to move a winning ad from testing to scaling 00:11:18 \u2013 How long ads should stay in testing campaigns 00:11:32 \u2013 Metrics to evaluate during the first days of testing 00:13:14 \u2013 Testing static versus video creatives Your Engagement Matters! Thank you for tuning in to the Smart Marketer Podcast. Your support helps us continue sharing actionable insights for marketers and entrepreneurs around the world. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode with a fellow marketer or entrepreneur Tag us on social media and use #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the world unselfishly and profit. ","author_name":"The Smart Marketer Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\/","html":"